Fort Worth artist Jane Helslander ’99 made a big splash at DFW Airport this summer. A splash of color, that is, in the form of a mosaic medallion at the new Terminal D, which is designed to appeal to the eye and is filled with work from living artists — mosaics, sculpture, paintings and tile. Helslander’s is more utilitarian than some since you have to look down to see it — it’s in the floor in front of gates 25 and 26.

Helslander was one of 12 artists chosen to submit a design for the dozen 20-foot diameter mosaic medallions for the gates on the departure concourse.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the Helslander art is sprinkled all over town. Her work is displayed in both private and corporate collections, such as the eight-by-eight-foot painting in the ladies shoe department at the Fort Worth Neiman-Marcus store. She also teaches drawing at her Horned Frog alma mater, works for William Campbell Contemporary Art gallery and in her own studio. The mixture of activity keeps ideas fresh and flowing. “If I have too narrow a view of what I want to do, it can be stifling,” Helslander said.

The medallion is her first display of public art. Although this piece is functional, she said it is important for some things to be enjoyed. “There are so many pressures today that it’s nice that there are things like art where the main purpose is to enjoy it.”